James O’Connor, Kamal Miller, and Luiz Muzzi. (Photo by Austin David)

CHICAGO — Orlando City head coach James O’Connor said before the second round that his team needed to pick a center back before the draft was finished and with their first pick in the second round, they selected Kamal Miller out of Syracuse.

The defender, hailing from Pickering, Ontario in Canada, was a four-year starter for the Orange, starting 78 games, scoring seven goals and notching three assists. He has spent the last two years as captain for Syracuse and has been a defensive stalwart for the ACC team.

“Definitely ecstatic to be here,” Miller said after being drafted. “It’s a dream of mine to play in the MLS and to have such a great club believe in me and give me this opportunity, I feel great right now.”

The 6-foot central defender feels that he can be a good asset for Orlando City as they continue to reshape and rebuild their back line.

“I’m a different kind of defender. I’m composed on the ball and I can bring whatever the coaches want me to bring.”

In the latter part of the second round, Orlando selected midfielder Tommy Madden out of UNC-Charlotte.

Madden, who was not at the draft, is a consistent player that played in over 70 matches in college, notching seven goals and nine assists. In his senior season, he had his best career year, scoring four goals and adding five assists to his tally. His performance earned him a second-round draft pick to Orlando.

(Photo by Austin David / Orlando Soccer Journal) 

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